The Beneteau First 285 1987 vs Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 measures 39,7 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 11,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 285 1987 at 28,1 feet (1987). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 tips the scales at 16 199 lbs — 10 798 lbs less than the Beneteau First 285 1987 at 5 401 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 18 hp for the Beneteau First 285 1987 and 2 hp for the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 carries 172 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Beneteau First 285 1987. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Beneteau First 285 1987 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 could be the deciding factor.

The Beneteau First 285 1987 has a documented displacement of 5 401 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.

The Beneteau First 285 1987 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau First 285 1987 has a documented auxiliary engine of 18 hp.

For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 carries 53 gallons versus 26 gallons on the Beneteau First 285 1987 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.